Reviews (6)

High School Graduations Will Never Again Seem The Same.
MIDDLE AGE CRAZY is one unforgettable movie and Bruce Dern is every ordinary guy just entering his own mid-life crisis. Of course not every man has a nutty wife like the loveable dimwit played by Ann-Margaret.

It is Dern's private thoughts portrayed so humorously which help to make the film memorable. My view of high school graduations will never again be the same. I give the movie five stars partly because it contains many scenes which are still indelibly etched in my mind even after twenty years.

Lessons about men
While the style and times of "Middle Age Crazy" have passed, the essence of the message and theme are constant. This is a must see for every man entering his 40's, and any female who wants to understand him better. Beside the familiar surface story line, there is a deeper underlying message about aging, changing, and letting go of previous self images. Bruce Dern is excellent as a man entering into middle age with all the stress of being the focus of parent, children, and family problems, while attempting to retain his own identity. In a time when our society is dealing with aging on a larger scale than ever before, this film is more relevant than ever. The musical score adds greatly to this effect, and the whole experience is universally significant.

He got a heck of a deal, on a new Porsche car.
.... The story revolves around a Texas man turning 40 and all the changes in his life that go along with this unpleasant milestone. His father dies, his son refuses to go to college because he wants to marry his girlfriend, he needs to find a home for his now widowed mother, his business is growing too fast for him to manage and his wife is making a big deal out of his turning 40, even counting her orgasms by screaming "Bingo" to compare their sex life now with that of their high school days,by the way Ann Margaret still looks hot in this one. The dream scenes that Dern has are classic, the speech at his son's high school graduation will have you nodding in understood approval "give them back their damn diplomas, give them back their silly ... hats and stay 18 for the rest of your life", or the one where his son's girlfriend is coming on to him while the song Good Girls Don't is playing or the one where his dead father "sentences" him to be the daddy, everyones daddy for the rest of his life, and of course the killer Porsche 928 scene where he is blasting down the highway with a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader on his arm passing Corvettes and giving the finger to the Highway Patrol (now who has not daydreamed of that!).....; or to tell your boss to stick it up his ..., or scream aloud to the heavens "I don't want to be the daddy"...well this movie explores every bad thing and thankfully every good thing that goes along with the infamous midlife crisis. I was 16 when I first saw this film and now I am 36...holy smokes I am about to become the Dern charcter, I'd better go find a Cowgirl fast and trade my Ford for a fancy foreign sport car! Enjoy the film.

Insightful look at a mid-life crisis
Bobby Lee has it all - a beautiful, devoted, loving wife, a successful business, good friends. Turning 40 is no big deal, until his wife makes it one by insisting he's better than ever, and trying to make him prove it. Bobby Lee suddenly sees a life full of "strings" - everybody wants something from him, except the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. He rebels from the life of his "needy" family, buys a sports car, gets the Cheerleader. He comes to realize that the fantasy life he has imagined is not all it's cracked up to be. I felt this was an insightful look into a midlife crisis that many men face. Suddenly, they are the "dad" and everybody is looking to them for the answers - answers they never had, or needed to have, because dad had them. Watching Bobby Lee go through his crisis helped me understand and deal more effectively with mine.

A "Gotta See" for middle aged crazy people in their 20's!
If you're in your 20's, you gotta see this movie. Better yet, watch it with your parents and friends. There is a lot of wisdom in this little gem of a movie. It is the "It's a Wonderful Life" of the 80's and 90's. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Needing 2.5 stars
Stephen King adaptations are strictly hit-or-miss propositions, and this supernatural thriller from 1993 is definitely a "miss," based on one of King's lesser novels and starring Max von Sydow as the evil proprietor of a small-town antique shop named "Needful Things." That's the place where anyone can go to find the one thing they cherish the most, but of course there's a price for such priceless keepsakes. Yep, that's right ... von Sydow is Satan, and his customers pay for "needful things" with their souls. The sheriff catches onto this hellish predicament, and, well ... let's just say things go downhill from there, with von Sydow delivering sardonic wisecracks as he wreaks devilish havoc on the town. Lots of stuff gets blown to bits, by which time this movie has long since worn out its welcome. Harris and von Sydow do their best to liven up the dreary scenario, but this is strictly for die-hard King fans, and even then the recommendation is marginal. Not one I'd recommend. It's bad, real bad, but funny. A good laugh is all that this provides, but then again most King adaptations usually end up bad. For good King movies check out The Shining, Carrie, Salem's Lot, and Pet Sematary.

"Needful Things" provides intrigue, depth
Welcome to Castle Rock, Maine, home of many horror fiction tales authored by Stephen King. In this movie, a new proprieter named Mr. Leland Gaunt (played cleverly by Max Von Sydow)has set up shop on Main Street, and he seems to have something for everyone. But Mr. Gaunt is more taken with pranking than with money. The plot is slowly and craftily thickened through character depth and visual revelations. Ed Harris does a decent, if not perhaps a bit too gritty, job as Sherriff Alan Pangborn, and JT Walsh is in his element as sleazy Danforth Keeton. Perhaps the best performance though, has to go to Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction) as a nervous maid named Nettie Cobb. Dramatic scenes touched with a growing knowledge that perhaps Mr. Gaunt is more evil than depicted makes "Needful Things" a joy to watch. I wonder what they would have had for me.

Needful indeed
Needful things is a great movie. I base movies on thier originality and you'll be hard pressed to find a movie even close to similar on this. A store called needful things.... All the old stuff that you've lost somehow and a place you can go to get one just like it.. How many times have we said "I'd do anything to get (whatever) back". Here's your answer. The movie takes a few to startup, but you begin to see what's going on and the trouble people get into because of thier needful crap. The movie ends in the longest scene of meyhem In a movie. But the soundtrack is worth the entertainment value.

fun beginning....cheesy ending
One thing I've noticed about Stephen King is that he can have problems ending his stories. He's so good at building you up or drawing you in then it's like what's next, what's the point, what do I do with these people? This movie is not an exception. I found this story to be very fun not really scary. I don't know it may have been in 1993 but in 2004 it's funny. But I was very disappointed at the end. I'd say watch it it anyway especially if you're a Stephen King fan. It makes for a good night in anyway.

MAD MAX RETURNS
I had the pleasure to watch this movie and "The Exorcist" in the same week and could only marvel at the underrated performances of Max von Sydow in both. In this Stephen King adaptation, von Sydow effortlessly goes from charming gentlemen to vicious and sardonic Satan in the Kingesque town of Castle Rock. While in the book, King destroys the dreamy little town, it just gets blown about a bit in the movie version. As usual, they couldn't get all the good stuff in the film version (noticeably absent is the woman who has a thing for Elvis carried to a fatal climax), but writer W. D. Richter captures the essence of the book and with von Sydow's tongue in cheek performance helming the film, I enjoyed it. Ed Harris seemed a little out of place, an actor who felt he needed to bust out of the constraints of the character and become Jack Nicholson; Bonnie Bedelia was rendered pretty ineffective in trimming down Polly's role; Amanda Plummer and Valeri Brumfield as Nettie and Wanda were viciously effective, and JT Walsh did a nice over the top job in his role as the gambling fool.
Director Heston didn't get enough of the real terror of the book in this movie, but it's an okay adaptation and better than "Cujo" or "Christine." ... Read more

Reviews (6)

New Age Aliens with a Message
Anyone interested in the metaphysical aspects of this film can stop watching soon after the 'antagonist' appears. It always makes me nervous when a film opens with a sustained shot of open space at night. The thing is that the concept for Starlight is about as developed as an SNL skit - it should have been about 10 minutes long.

That being said, I really enjoyed the first 30 minutes - it had such promise, with the Pleiadeans communicating telepathically and in those hallucinogenic tones. Then, their history of contacting Earth for 50,000 years. (Please, Amazon editors - this is actually the plot of the film, you don't have to delete it!) Again, according to the film, we are distant ancestors to the Pleiadeans - not only that, but they are the people that are spoken of in Native American legend as the 'star people'. Wow, I thought - this is so cool!!!

But, then sadly, it had to [be bad] for the last 2/3rds. I really didn't want it to, I wanted it to be a sleeper that I could recommend to people to make them think I'm sophisticated - so you can imagine my disappointment when it turned into a 'run from the bad guys' scenario.

I wished they had at least suggested what that 'null zone' thing was all about other than a kind of strange plot device. And, yes, as the other reviewers have mentioned, the 'effects' are on par with circa 1975 "Electric Company" video animation - which really contributes to the overall sadness of the production.

I think the actors very much wanted it to be a good thing and they get an A for effort. Obviously one of the writers has read some of the extraterrestrial contact material and either didn't read very much or was told by the producers that they weren't going to sponsor no New Age type film with huggy-feely aliens.

The potential is there for a decent ET/New Age film to be made, and I think this is at least a valiant effort. I have been compiling a list of films that deal with the topic of mankind's first contact with extraterrestrials in a modern setting and this is one of only about 6 that portrays the visitors in a benevolent light. The ETs are very spiritual, as it turns out.

This Movie Should Have Been On Mystery Science Theater 3000
If you like serious movies, skip this. But if you appreciate bad movies in all their cheesy glory, own this. The effects were horrible, there was little way in a plot, but that's why this movie is so bad. I first saw this movie on television and I was so captivated by the sheer cheesiness of it, I was compelled to own it. There was a scene in the movie where the director's chair made it into the film. The lead actor tried his hardest to impersonate Keanu Reeves. There was a rather effeminate looking man/alien wearing a backless jumpsuit. The Keanu look a like and Rae Dawn Chong turned themselves into cottonballs for the movie's big love scene. But the scene that tops all of these is the one where Willie Nelson shoots laser beams from his eyes. This movie should have been on Mystery Science Theater. The reaction of Mike Nelson and The Bots' to Willie's Laser Show would have been one of those priceless television moments.

It Hurts Soooo Goooood
Without a doubt, the worst movie I have ever seen in my life is Starlight. Starlight is so bad, that it is great. With some of the most atrocious special effects, an incredibly odd and pointless story line, and tons of directing flaws, Starlight is a must have. You will find your self in awe of the utter stupidity of this flick. Now, you may ask yourself, "I thought that girl was supposed to die if she was on Earth as long as she was. Wasn't that lame tattoo on the other side of that guy? Did they turn into moths at the end? Why the hell is he playing the fiddle? How did the motorcycle explode? What about her spaceship? What is going on?" Well, take a deep breath and relax. It is just a flick, and a terrible one at that. Remember, never ask any questions in a flick where Willie Nelson gains magical powers from a totem pole that allows him to open dimensional portals. You must own this movie. I dare you to find anything worse than this.

To the stars!
How can one NOT like a cool modern cheesy sci-fi like this one? It's worth it to see Willie Nelson shoot red lasers out of his eyes... I think they did all the special effects without the aid of computers... quite nostalgic.

GREAT SOUND DESIGN
GREAT Sound Design. We have become great fans of Raymond Richards Rewt the sound designer in this film. We understand he normally works as a film composer and are interested in knowing more about him and his work. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Needing 2.5 stars
Stephen King adaptations are strictly hit-or-miss propositions, and this supernatural thriller from 1993 is definitely a "miss," based on one of King's lesser novels and starring Max von Sydow as the evil proprietor of a small-town antique shop named "Needful Things." That's the place where anyone can go to find the one thing they cherish the most, but of course there's a price for such priceless keepsakes. Yep, that's right ... von Sydow is Satan, and his customers pay for "needful things" with their souls. The sheriff catches onto this hellish predicament, and, well ... let's just say things go downhill from there, with von Sydow delivering sardonic wisecracks as he wreaks devilish havoc on the town. Lots of stuff gets blown to bits, by which time this movie has long since worn out its welcome. Harris and von Sydow do their best to liven up the dreary scenario, but this is strictly for die-hard King fans, and even then the recommendation is marginal. Not one I'd recommend. It's bad, real bad, but funny. A good laugh is all that this provides, but then again most King adaptations usually end up bad. For good King movies check out The Shining, Carrie, Salem's Lot, and Pet Sematary.

"Needful Things" provides intrigue, depth
Welcome to Castle Rock, Maine, home of many horror fiction tales authored by Stephen King. In this movie, a new proprieter named Mr. Leland Gaunt (played cleverly by Max Von Sydow)has set up shop on Main Street, and he seems to have something for everyone. But Mr. Gaunt is more taken with pranking than with money. The plot is slowly and craftily thickened through character depth and visual revelations. Ed Harris does a decent, if not perhaps a bit too gritty, job as Sherriff Alan Pangborn, and JT Walsh is in his element as sleazy Danforth Keeton. Perhaps the best performance though, has to go to Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction) as a nervous maid named Nettie Cobb. Dramatic scenes touched with a growing knowledge that perhaps Mr. Gaunt is more evil than depicted makes "Needful Things" a joy to watch. I wonder what they would have had for me.

Needful indeed
Needful things is a great movie. I base movies on thier originality and you'll be hard pressed to find a movie even close to similar on this. A store called needful things.... All the old stuff that you've lost somehow and a place you can go to get one just like it.. How many times have we said "I'd do anything to get (whatever) back". Here's your answer. The movie takes a few to startup, but you begin to see what's going on and the trouble people get into because of thier needful crap. The movie ends in the longest scene of meyhem In a movie. But the soundtrack is worth the entertainment value.

fun beginning....cheesy ending
One thing I've noticed about Stephen King is that he can have problems ending his stories. He's so good at building you up or drawing you in then it's like what's next, what's the point, what do I do with these people? This movie is not an exception. I found this story to be very fun not really scary. I don't know it may have been in 1993 but in 2004 it's funny. But I was very disappointed at the end. I'd say watch it it anyway especially if you're a Stephen King fan. It makes for a good night in anyway.

MAD MAX RETURNS
I had the pleasure to watch this movie and "The Exorcist" in the same week and could only marvel at the underrated performances of Max von Sydow in both. In this Stephen King adaptation, von Sydow effortlessly goes from charming gentlemen to vicious and sardonic Satan in the Kingesque town of Castle Rock. While in the book, King destroys the dreamy little town, it just gets blown about a bit in the movie version. As usual, they couldn't get all the good stuff in the film version (noticeably absent is the woman who has a thing for Elvis carried to a fatal climax), but writer W. D. Richter captures the essence of the book and with von Sydow's tongue in cheek performance helming the film, I enjoyed it. Ed Harris seemed a little out of place, an actor who felt he needed to bust out of the constraints of the character and become Jack Nicholson; Bonnie Bedelia was rendered pretty ineffective in trimming down Polly's role; Amanda Plummer and Valeri Brumfield as Nettie and Wanda were viciously effective, and JT Walsh did a nice over the top job in his role as the gambling fool.
Director Heston didn't get enough of the real terror of the book in this movie, but it's an okay adaptation and better than "Cujo" or "Christine." ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Needing 2.5 stars
Stephen King adaptations are strictly hit-or-miss propositions, and this supernatural thriller from 1993 is definitely a "miss," based on one of King's lesser novels and starring Max von Sydow as the evil proprietor of a small-town antique shop named "Needful Things." That's the place where anyone can go to find the one thing they cherish the most, but of course there's a price for such priceless keepsakes. Yep, that's right ... von Sydow is Satan, and his customers pay for "needful things" with their souls. The sheriff catches onto this hellish predicament, and, well ... let's just say things go downhill from there, with von Sydow delivering sardonic wisecracks as he wreaks devilish havoc on the town. Lots of stuff gets blown to bits, by which time this movie has long since worn out its welcome. Harris and von Sydow do their best to liven up the dreary scenario, but this is strictly for die-hard King fans, and even then the recommendation is marginal. Not one I'd recommend. It's bad, real bad, but funny. A good laugh is all that this provides, but then again most King adaptations usually end up bad. For good King movies check out The Shining, Carrie, Salem's Lot, and Pet Sematary.

"Needful Things" provides intrigue, depth
Welcome to Castle Rock, Maine, home of many horror fiction tales authored by Stephen King. In this movie, a new proprieter named Mr. Leland Gaunt (played cleverly by Max Von Sydow)has set up shop on Main Street, and he seems to have something for everyone. But Mr. Gaunt is more taken with pranking than with money. The plot is slowly and craftily thickened through character depth and visual revelations. Ed Harris does a decent, if not perhaps a bit too gritty, job as Sherriff Alan Pangborn, and JT Walsh is in his element as sleazy Danforth Keeton. Perhaps the best performance though, has to go to Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction) as a nervous maid named Nettie Cobb. Dramatic scenes touched with a growing knowledge that perhaps Mr. Gaunt is more evil than depicted makes "Needful Things" a joy to watch. I wonder what they would have had for me.

Needful indeed
Needful things is a great movie. I base movies on thier originality and you'll be hard pressed to find a movie even close to similar on this. A store called needful things.... All the old stuff that you've lost somehow and a place you can go to get one just like it.. How many times have we said "I'd do anything to get (whatever) back". Here's your answer. The movie takes a few to startup, but you begin to see what's going on and the trouble people get into because of thier needful crap. The movie ends in the longest scene of meyhem In a movie. But the soundtrack is worth the entertainment value.

fun beginning....cheesy ending
One thing I've noticed about Stephen King is that he can have problems ending his stories. He's so good at building you up or drawing you in then it's like what's next, what's the point, what do I do with these people? This movie is not an exception. I found this story to be very fun not really scary. I don't know it may have been in 1993 but in 2004 it's funny. But I was very disappointed at the end. I'd say watch it it anyway especially if you're a Stephen King fan. It makes for a good night in anyway.

MAD MAX RETURNS
I had the pleasure to watch this movie and "The Exorcist" in the same week and could only marvel at the underrated performances of Max von Sydow in both. In this Stephen King adaptation, von Sydow effortlessly goes from charming gentlemen to vicious and sardonic Satan in the Kingesque town of Castle Rock. While in the book, King destroys the dreamy little town, it just gets blown about a bit in the movie version. As usual, they couldn't get all the good stuff in the film version (noticeably absent is the woman who has a thing for Elvis carried to a fatal climax), but writer W. D. Richter captures the essence of the book and with von Sydow's tongue in cheek performance helming the film, I enjoyed it. Ed Harris seemed a little out of place, an actor who felt he needed to bust out of the constraints of the character and become Jack Nicholson; Bonnie Bedelia was rendered pretty ineffective in trimming down Polly's role; Amanda Plummer and Valeri Brumfield as Nettie and Wanda were viciously effective, and JT Walsh did a nice over the top job in his role as the gambling fool.
Director Heston didn't get enough of the real terror of the book in this movie, but it's an okay adaptation and better than "Cujo" or "Christine." ... Read more